Upcoming Event - Sudwala Screaming Monster

Its that time of the year again. Time to face the Screaming Monster! I missed one of my favourite races last year due to injury and cannot wait to tackle this awesome race again. Its a toughie make no mistake, just a quick look at the pictures below will give you an idea of what to expect. Its worth the effort though and that's what makes this race great and so unique. I don't think there are many races in the world where you get to run in a cave! I hope to see lots of green vests there to support Legogote Villagers, a club that has always supported our events.

Please note that it is pre entry only so get those entry forms in before 25 April.

Please click HERE to download your entry form.

General info: 

Date: 30 April 2016

Time: 07h00

Organisers: Legogote Villagers

Distance: 21.1

Province: Mpumalanga

Start: Sudwala Lodge

Enquiries:

Contact 1: Amanda Wessels

(H) 013-7501672

(C) 084-5836945

(Email) legov@vodamail.co.za

Contact 2: Jurgen Halbich

(W) 013-7527456

(C) 083-2900678

Entry Details:

Pre-entry Closing Date: 25 April 2016

This is a strictly pre-entry race. Due to the nature of the caves, entries are strictly limited to 300 runners.

Walkers are Welcome

Route Description:

Difficulty Rating: 3. Route Type: Circular

The race starts at the Sudwala Lodge and heads out on a scenic route starting with a gentle yet steady five kilometre climb from the valley basin to the top of the pass, about 1 500 metres above sea level. Once at the top, enjoy the respite as the route descends to the turnaround point. 

What follows is payment for all the hard work that went before, a pleasant five kilometre downhill canter with Mpumalanga’s scenery that is simply breath-taking. Soon enough you reach the valley basin with a jolt, for there is a steep scramble for almost 1.8 kilometres as the route takes you to the very mouth of the Sudwala Caves. 

Take a deep breath; take your last look at Africa’s blue sky as you descend to the bowels of the earth to face the "Screaming Monster". This enormous and now infamous formation resides inside the caves. Pay your respects here for legend has it that the Monster’s good fortune will smile on the lucky and the brave. 

Now blinking in the sunlight, the race takes you on an easy trot down the mountain and back to the finish at the Sudwala Lodge.

Prizes and Give-Aways:

Unique colour-coded medals go to all runners and prize money goes to category winners.

Editor's Notes:

The "Screaming Monster" is named after a large and ancient calcium formation inside the Sudwala Caves. These are the oldest known dolomite caves in the world. This is the only run in South Africa that goes into a cave.

Finishers: 230 Time Limit: 03h30

Source: http://www.runnersguide.co.za/

Upcoming Event - Build it God's Window 21km, 10km & 5km

Date: 4 October 2014

Time: 07h00

Organisers: Legogote Villagers
Distance: 21.1; 10; 5;
Start: Graskop Caravan Park, Main Street, Graskop

Enquiries:
Amanda Wessels 0845836945 / legov@vodamail.co.za

Jurgen Halbich 0832900678

Entry Details:
Pre-entries are available. Entries are accepted at the start from 05h30. 

Grand Masters enjoy free entry.
Walkers are Welcome

Route Description:
Difficulty Rating: 4. Route Type: Out and back

This is a fairly tough route, but the scenery more than makes up for any discomfort. The opening stages of the race are run along the Graskop - Ohrigstad road where the going is relatively easy, and the running is pleasantly undulating. The route then turns right to God's Window and the real work begins. There is a seven kilometre climb to the top of the hill and, to be sure, this reduces many a seasoned runner to a walk.

But what goes up must come down and the downhill section of this race is welcome. Beware! It is as steep and as long as the hill you have just climbed and can be hard on a tired and shaky body. The scenery on this run is spectacular, and with some luck there will be some morning mist to cool you down.

Download your entry form here.

Whats happening this weekend.

Saturday 3 May

Sudwala Screaming Monster

Time: 07:00

Starting point: Sudwala Lodge.

Organisers: Legogote Villagers Running Club

Distance: 21km

Enquiries:

Contact : Amanda 0845836945

Pre-entry Closing Date: 26 April 2014 (This is a strictly pre-entry race.)

Halls parkrun

Time: 08:00

Meeting point: Halls Gateway
Route: Halls farm, out and back
Distance: 5km 

*For more info visit http://www.parkrun.co.za/halls/

Upcoming Event - Selati Half Marathon & 10km

The ever popular Selati Half Marathon is around the corner! A race where your chances of seeing more animals than at the Skukuza Half Marathon or walking away from the prize giving with a wheelbarrow full of sugar are very good! See you somewhere in the sugarcane fields or along the Crocodile River!

Please click HERE to download your entry form.

General info: 

Date: 10 May 2014
Time: 07h00
Organisers: Onderberg Marathon Club
Distance: 21.1; 10; 4.9, 2
Start: Malelane Rugby Club. Next to Malelane Kruger Gate

Enquiries:
Contact 1: Deon Valks
(W) 013-7911056
(H) 013-7900873
(F) 086-6328694
(C) 082-7880675
(Email) valksd@tsb.co.za

Contact 2: Marthinus Kelder
(W) 013-7911000
(C) 084-5816503
(Email)kelerm@tsb.co.za

Entry Details:
Pre-entry Closing Date: 02 May 2014
www.enteronline.co.za
Late entries are accepted at the start from 05h30. Grand Masters enjoy free entry.
Walkers are Welcome

Route Description:
Difficulty Rating: 2. Route Type: Out and back
This moderate and flat race takes place in the picturesque Onderberg region of the Mpumalanga Lowveld. The race is run mainly on the TSB Sugar Limited property, on gravel roads surrounded by cane fields. Here, on the banks of the Crocodile River you overlook the Kruger National Park. The race passes the sugar mill and is run next to the golf course.

Prizes and Give-Aways:
The first 10 finishers and first woman receive gold medals, the next 30 receive silver, and all other finishers receive bronze medals. All pre-entrants get T-shirts. There are many spot prizes such as sugar and fruit hampers to be won. This is one of the premier runner events in the Lowveld with exceptionally high prize monies.

This is a race with a difference and it makes the trip to Malelane worthwhile. The water tables are manned by different divisions within the TSB group and the competition to be voted the best water point is taken very seriously. You can thus be assured of excellent service during your run.

Source: http://www.runnersguide.co.za/ 

Upcoming Event - Bateleur Estate Memorial Run

Participate in this remembrance day honouring someone you have loved and lost. Bring a photo of your loved one for our remembrance wall. 

Download entry form here.

Upcoming Event - Mopani/RWFL Charities For Life Series - Christmas Run

Upcoming Events - York Adventure Challenge Trail Run (14 September) and York Sabie Shufflers Forest Run (21 September)

Our team has been very hard at work for the last 4 months to design and build arguably the most spectacular mountain bike and trail running trails the Lowveld has ever seen!  York Timbers, one of the biggest landowners in the Sabie and surrounding area, will be giving you the opportunity to become a member of the York Adventure Club, with the aim to create a safe and controlled environment for cycling and running.  Please join us in Sabie for the weekend of 13 - 15 September to celebrate the Grand Opening in style! We have invited 20 of South Africa's top Mountain Bike Riders to race in the first "York Enduro Mountain Bike Rally" which includes a  Downhill Race (DHI) on Friday, a breath taking Enduro Race on Saturday and an exhibition (Professionals only) Short Course Cross Country (XC) race on Sunday! YOU are invited to participate in the 40km York Adventure Challenge and 19km York Adventure Ride mountain bike races on Sunday 15 September.  You are, of course, also invited to watch our country's top riders tear down the mountains on some of the 20 KILOMETERS worth of dedicated downhill single track sections on the Friday and Saturday! There will also be a 12km Trail Run on Saturday 14 September from The Sabie Country Club at 8:00 open to the public!

Weekend Programme: Friday - 13 September Pro's and Corporate Teams to ride the Downhill and XC course (Spectator friendly!) DHI Seeding runs from 13:30 and finals from 15:45    Saturday - 14 September 07:30 Pro's and Corporate Teams participate in the Enduro event (Spectator friendly!) 08:00 York Adventure Trail Running event - 12km Only (Open to Public) - Start/Finish at Sabie Country Club    Sunday - 15 September 07:00 York Adventure Challenge 40km and 19km (Open to Public) - Start/Finish at Sabie Country Club 11:30 Exhibition XCO lap race on Sabie Golf Course (Invited Pro Riders only)

York Adventure Challenge Mountain Bike & Trail Run

14 September 2013 TRAIL RUN: 12km Start Sabie Country Club at 8:00 Saturday Morning. ENTER HERE 15 September 2013 MTB: 40km York Adventure Challenge Start 7:30 Sabie Country Club         19km York Adventure Ride Start 8:00 Sabie Country Club         Exciting School Team Challenge Start 07:30 Sabie Country Club         (For more info and entry form, contact adventure@york.co.za) Sunday promises to be a great family day out and once you have finished your ride, you will have the unique opportunity to watch SA's top riders in a XC lap race on the Sabie Golf Course, with live entertainment and kids play area!  Registration opens at 05h30.

ENTER HERE

York Sabie Shufflers Forest Run	21 September 2013 This year is the 33rd Sabie Shufflers Race and once again the distances will be a 4.9km, 10km, 21.1km and 32km Forest Run.  Please contact us on forestrun@york.co.za should you require a manual entry form to be sent to you.
ENTER HERE

Upcoming event - WRSquared Night Trail Run

The cold is finally going away and just in time for this months night race at the Casterbridge Lifestyle Center.
Join us for some fun in the dark and the chance to run through the orchards and around the dam with nothing but the stars and your headlamp to light the way.
Trail running in the lowveld has come on leaps and bounds over the past two years but to encourage the continued growth and make the night run a truly family event all Under 16's race for free.
Any questions feel free to Ash on 082 0528393

Nedbank Om Die Dammetjie Race Countdown - Directions

Only 8 days to go!

How to get to Witklip Dam (-25° 14' 17.17", +30° 53' 44.65")

1. From Nelspruit take the R40 towards White River.
2. As you are about to enter White River there is a Sasol service station on your left.
3. At the next robot turn left onto the R537 towards Sabie.
4. Travel 16.4 kms and then turn left to Witklip Dam.
5. Travel another +/- 6.5 kms (this takes you past the dam wall)
6. Turn right at marshals to parking.

  

        Download your entry form HERE!

Nedbank Om Die Dammetjie Race Countdown - Witklip Dam

Only 11 days to go!

Witklip Dam - Facts & Figures.

Witklip Dam is a gravity and arch type dam located on the Sand River near Sabie, Mpumalanga, South Africa. It was established in 1969 and serves primarily for irrigation purposes.

Coordinates: 25°14′10″S 30°54′1″E
Opening date: 1969
Type of dam: gravity, arch
Height: 21.6 meters
Length: 670 meters
Impounds: Sand River
Reservoir
Creates: Witklip Dam Reservoir
Capacity: 12,970,000 cubic meters
Surface area: 178 hectares

Download your entry form HERE.

Upcoming Race - Mount Sheba "Say Goodbye to Winter Trail Run"

Jen and I have just spent the most amazing time at Mt Sheba, a Forever Lodge high on the escarpment edge between Lydenburg and Pilgrim's Rest. The manager Adriaan Harper and Ilanga Trails are pleased to announce the first trail on the property, to be run on August 31 2013.

The lodge has many short trails already marked out on their enormous property which includes vast areas of natural forest riddled with streams and waterfalls. My task was to link theses shorter trails up, and boy did I have a great time. Starting out at around 1640m I followed existing trails climbing slowly up to 1920m. We have to run in the paved entrance road for a short stretch to get to the top, but I don't think you will enjoy the alternative (VERY steep). Once on the top I set off to find a path to link to the trail at the far end of the ridge. A fire break made the perfect route and I started the steep decent on the Eastern side of the property. Down a steep technical (rocky) section then zig zagging down another fire break, I linked up to a forestry road. Following this I came out about 10m from another of the marked trails. It took me about 10 minutes to penetrate the dense vegetation, cross the stream and get onto the trail. Do not fear, I will return with a team to clear a path. I was now at the lowest point on the property, 1440m. Only 200m to climb back to the lodge. I really got some great 'Otter' training in on the run.

We will be presenting 6, 12 & 18km distances with about 800m accent on the long run.

Great prizes such as a R10 000 holiday voucher for Forever Resorts Badplaas, amoungst others, Spot Prizes, and Lucky Draws. Medals to finishers in all distances!

Mt Sheba, a Forever Lodge offers four star accommodation as well as a camp ground for up to 10 tents. Management will lay on electricity for the campers over the weekend. The cuisine is outstanding, the pubs warm and inviting. Come and celebrate the last day of winter in the mountains, you won't regret it!

Book Now!
Avoid disapointment!
 

20km limited to 150, 12km limited to 200. Click here or on the Logo

Clive Smart

Ilanga Trail Series - Matumi Trail Preview

Matumi Trail 17 August 2013

Enter On-line at


Click on logo to enter
 

Click to enlarge

White Route 8.5km

Heading off along the banks of the Mac Mac River the trail winds around enormous matumi, forest big leaf, waterberry, white stinkwood and mitzeri trees. Beware, their roots are waiting to grab that weary ankle. The route has technical sections and about 2km of very old jeep track. The trees drop their leaves year round, but more so in the winter months, hiding the rocks that abound the trail. Running under a dense leafy canopy for most of the trail, I would not recommend wearing sun glasses as they tend to hide the uneven ground. If you want to admire a sight along the way, stop and look, don't break your concentration while running, you will take a tumble.

The Matumi picnic spot is just across the bridge at the 4.3km mark. Take some time to look around while you enjoy some 32Gi energy drink before you set off back down the opposite bank for a very technical route home. Except for one sharp climb it is all down hill along the banks of the Mac Mac River. Get ready to get the feet wet, the finish lies on the opposite bank of the river and you have to cross it to get home. Remember, stick to the sand as the pock are slippery and the water is cold!

---

Click to enlarge

Blue Route 14.4km

Starting off, with the 20+km runners, along the quad and mountain bike tracks the trail heads West along the banks of the Sabie River. Zig-zagging and winding up and around the hills you run through 'Blue Gum' plantations, some of which are being harvested. watch out for logs and branches that may lie across your path.

Just before 5km you round a bend and a spectacular view of the Sabie River tumbling down a water fall and over massive granite boulders requires you stop for a few seconds to take it all in. You then set off to run around a ravine to meet up with the river above the falls. Gently climbing up you reach the highest point on the rout at the 8km mark. After a kilometre of undulating forest you start a sharp 400m decent to the 'Induna Cross Roads' where you will find the first water point at 9.3km. You will turn left at the water point for an 800m short cut to the bridge on the Mac Mac River.

The Matumi picnic spot is just across the bridge at the 4.3km mark. Take some time to look around while you enjoy some 32Gi energy drink before you set off back down the opposite bank for a very technical route home. Except for one sharp climb it is all down hill along the banks of the Mac Mac River. Get ready to get the feet wet, the finish lies on the opposite bank of the river and you have to cross it to get home. Remember, stick to the sand as the rocks are slippery and the water is cold!

---

Click to enlarge

Red Route 21.5km

Starting off, with the 14km runners, along the quad and mountain bike tracks the trail heads West along the banks of the Sabie River. Zig-zagging and winding up and around the hills you run through 'Blue Gum' plantations, some of which are being harvested. watch out for logs and branches that may lie across your path.

Just before 5km you round a bend and a spectacular view of the Sabie River tumbling down a water fall and over massive granite boulders requires you stop for a few seconds to take it all in. You then set off to run around a ravine to meet up with the river above the falls. Gently climbing up you reach the highest point on the rout at the 8km mark. After a kilometre of undulating forest you start a sharp 400m decent to the 'Induna Cross Roads' where you will find the first water point at 9.3km. You now leave the 14km runners and head back down the trail for a very fast 3.6km section.

Just before you get back to the Sabie River you head off along the banks of the Mac Mac River. The trail winds around enormous matumi, forest big leaf, waterberry, white stinkwood and mitzeri trees. Beware, their roots are waiting to grab that weary ankle. The route has technical sections and about 2km of very old jeep track. The trees drop their leaves year round, but more so in the winter months, hiding the rocks that abound the trail. Running under a dense leafy canopy for most of the trail, I would not recommend wearing sun glasses as they tend to hide the uneven ground. If you want to admire a sight along the way, stop and look, don't break your concentration while running, you will take a tumble.

The Matumi picnic spot is just across the bridge at the 17km mark. Take some time to look around while you enjoy some 32Gi energy drink before you set off back down the opposite bank for a very technical route home. Except for one sharp climb it is all down hill along the banks of the Mac Mac River. Get ready to get the feet wet, the finish lies on the opposite bank of the river and you have to cross it to get home. Remember, stick to the sand as the rocks are slippery and the water is cold!

---

Please Note

These routes may change slightly depending on agricultural activity or extreme weather. Ilanga Trail Series will attempt to keep all route maps and profiles up to date. We may be forced to re-route sections at the last minute and these changes will be made known at registration on the Friday and at the start on Saturday.

We thank the land owners for their generosity, without which this route would not be possible.

All map images from Google Maps

For more info please visit http://ilangatrailseries.co.za/

Upcoming Race: Sitrusfees 21km Protea Hotel Nelspruit Boswedloop - 27 July 2013

http://schoemanskloof.co.za/

21km Trail Run. Water stations with Coke, Powerade & Water along the route.

Registration opens at 05h30, all participants must register and enter at the event.

ENTRY FEES: R45 which will include your access to the Sitrusfees.

Any additional persons will have to pay the Sitrusfees entry fee: Adults R50 and Kids R20.

ENQUIRIES: Wikus Loots 082 854 6026 / Craig Lewis chairman@lowveldcanoe.co.za

PRIZES:Funky medals for all finishers. Overall male and female winners will win one nights accommodation at Protea Hotel Nelspruit. Five spot prizes (meal vouchers) sponsored by Protea Hotel Nelspruit. 

Prize giving after the race for the following categories: Open Men/Women: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Vet Men/Women: 1st and 2nd. Master Men/Women: 1st and 2nd. GM Men/Women: 1st. Junior Boys/Girls: 1st and 2nd. Walkers: 1st

Race Profile and Route. Bunch Start. This is a cross-country trail race and walkers are welcome. The route includes three river crossings, a bridge, a hang/swing bridge and a weir crossing. Also expect rocks, grass and gravel with steep inclines and declines.

Upcoming Race: The Grove Superspar Legogote 21km, 10km & 5km

Another great Legogote race takes place on Saturday between smallholdings on the south-east of Whiteriver. Half of the race is run on tar and half on dirt roads. This is a fairly testing race with uphills and downhills the whole way. Legogote Mountain or “Legogote Leeukoppie” is visible at various spots on the route.

Entry form available to download HERE.

Upcoming Race - Mopani / Run Walk for Life Charities for Life Series 29 June

Entry form can be downloaded here. Pre-entries also available at Crossings Superspar.